Assemble Bag

1. Baste interfacing rectangles to wrong side of bag body rectangles, machine-stitching a scant 1/4" from the edges. (Using the interfacing will give your gift bag more body and help it retain its shape.)

3. Fold the A print 1-1/8x3" bias strip in half lengthwise; sew together long edges with 1/4" seam. Turn right side out and press; trim to 2-1/2" long. Fold in half to make a loop. With right sides together, center loop ends along top edge of bag body back rectangle; baste in place (Diagram 2).

4. Fold each print B 2-1/4x10" strip in half lengthwise and join long edges with 1/2" seam. Without trimming seams, turn tubes right side out to make handles; press. With right sides together, center ends of one handle along top edge of bag body back rectangle, 3-1/8" from outer edges; baste in place. Repeat to baste remaining handle to bag body front rectangle.

6. To box bottom corners, match each side seam of bag body with the bottom seam; stitch across resulting straight edge (Diagram 4). Turn bag body right side out.

7. Repeat Step 5 with lining rectangles, leaving 4" opening along one side, to make lining.

8. Repeat Step 6 to box bottom corners of lining. Do not turn lining right side out.

9. Insert bag body into lining (they will be right sides together). Sew together around top edge

10. Turn bag body and lining to right side through opening in lining side seam. Hand-stitch opening closed. Push lining down into bag body and press upper edge of bag. Topstitch 1/4" from bag upper edge through all layers.